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Approved childcarers top 3,000

The number of nannies registering with the Government's Childcare Approval Scheme has increased threefold since January, new figures have revealed. Children's minister Beverley Hughes announced earlier this year that 1,339 people had been 'approved' under the voluntary scheme, which replaced the Home Childcarer Scheme in April 2005.

Children's minister Beverley Hughes announced earlier this year that 1,339 people had been 'approved' under the voluntary scheme, which replaced the Home Childcarer Scheme in April 2005.

Now Nursery World has obtained new figures from the DfES showing that by the end of September the number of approvals had reached 3,139. Of these, 2,891 are new approvals and 248 are renewals. The DfES also reported that a further 1,117 new and renewing applications are being processed.

Parents who employ 'approved' nannies can claim tax credits or subsidise their costs with childcare vouchers from their own employers. The fee for approval lasts for 12 months and costs 99 to renew each year.

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